I'm keen to try some peat-free JI-substitute composts but the only one I can find to test is the Sylvagrow product. I'm going to try it this year, but otherwise I will make my own.

These two plants came from Ralph at round about the same time. They might be interesting for
comparison. I think there is a tiny bit of striping on the MN135. This is one of the first flowers it has produced although there are more on the way now.

I think the controversy over R./A. albipilosa goes back to when it was first isolated - summarised http://www.rebutia.sk/idents/albipilosa.htm. It has even been suggested in the past that some are of "horticultural origin". I'm not sure this controversy has ever been resolved? I'd like an ...

With regards to my comment about A. albipilosa, I was just pointing out that naming plants based upon spination is a bit ambiguous as spines are often different for the same plant under different growth conditions. I like Ralph's picture too and I've also been growing albipilosa. When selecting seed...

OK thanks, I see where the name comes from.

The plant spines looked similar to albipilosa a few years ago and then I moved the plant, repotted it, and it dramatically changed appearance.

Thanks for the name.
Looking at the descriptions online for this name it is a really good fit for the plant.
Weird it should be named "pumila" though- this is one of the largest plants I have!

This plant I raised from seed many years ago, but I'm not sure of the ID?
The appearance changes quite a bit depending upon growth conditions.

I just have a few Echinopsis hybrids that need a bit of encouragement to flower- so I'm trying deeper pots this year.

If selecting from panels of hybrids for interesting flowers then maybe you are selecting for plants that flower well (or even poorly) under your growth conditions?

I was also wondering about pot size for Echinopsis. Some growers seems to use big pots for these plants.

Looks like an aphid, so safe to remove it...